Should anyone be allowed to embrace death when one wants to? What does an individual who renounces his life fill about it when the death is nearing?  In addition, this individual was no ordinary man. He was the Managing Director of Bharat Bijlee Ltd., for 32 years.

Jethabhai was a rational student of modern science and engineering and it can be safely presumed that his decision was taken after carefully weighing every aspect of the matter. He decided to renounce food and medicines. He remained firm to his resolve. That was in spite of the fact that all his six sons and one daughter was capable of doing everything under the sun to keep him alive and healthy.

On 6 October 1993, inside the ICU of Krishna Cardiac Hospital of Dr. Ashok Panjabi, he decided to implement the decision he had taken five years ago, on his 79th birthday that, he would leave his body when it would not serve any useful purpose.  In short this was a planned and well thought and not an impulsive decision.

On 7 October 1993, the Jain Sadhvi (nun) Sohan Kumariji administered the vow of Samthara, which denotes severe penance without any nourishment leading to realization of eternal peace. For the next 41 days, the 84 years old man did not take a morsel of food or medicine, allowing himself only to drink water.

Visitors and journalists who came to meet him (take his Darshan) posed him the question: Is it not a suicide? He replied: "No, this is not suicide. Suicide is an act of cowardice while Samthara is an act of courage and rational thinking. It is a step taken with full knowledge and understanding that the soul never dies".

Back home from ICU, Pappaji (as he was called) showed signs of positive improvements in health after he had stopped taking any food and medicines. His breathing problem eased, he could think and speak clearly giving big surprises to the medics.

A total of 41 days without food and medication.  Fast unto death.  High spiritual energy was observed, due to Preksha Meditation.  He was saying:  "I am not afraid of dying".